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| PRESIDENT MOURNS PASSING OF HEROIC NYAMEKA GONIWE |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his condolences to the friends and family of the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality Speaker, Nyameka Goniwe. |
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The 69-year-old Goniwe, a social worker by profession, passed away in her Eastern Cape hometown of Cradock on Saturday, 29 August 2020, after a brief illness.
Goniwe was married to the late struggle activist, Matthew Goniwe.
“The passing of Nyameka Goniwe is a great loss to all of us. Her passing during Women’s Month draws our attention and respect once more to the leadership capability and bravery of women in our society. “While Nyameka Goniwe suffered harassment under apartheid and was brutally deprived of her life partner, she was unbowed by the inhumane excesses of apartheid,” said President Ramaphosa.
Thirty-five years ago, after a period of sustained harassment of her family by security police, Goniwe suffered the loss of her husband, Matthew, at the hands of a police hit squad.
Security operatives targeted Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli and Sparrow Mkhonto, known as the “Cradock Four”.
“She waged her struggle in her own right and, true to her values and those of Matthew Goniwe, she devoted her contribution to a democratic South Africa to the betterment of the lives of the communities in which she lived.
“She played various leadership roles in local government in the service of her community and exemplified ethical leadership that put people first,” said the President.
Nyameka and Matthew Goniwe had a daughter, Nobuzwe, and a son, Nyaniso.
The President extended his sympathies to the Goniwe and Puwani families, friends of the struggle veterans, residents of Cradock and the leadership of the Chris Hani District Municipality and Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality.
“Cradock’s loss is South Africa’s loss but Nyameka Goniwe will live on in our history and in her enduring legacy of struggle, service and the inspiration and upliftment of communities,” said President Ramaphosa.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| CONDOLENCES FOR SURGEON-GENERAL RAMLAKAN |
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| President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, 30 August 2020, expressed his condolences to the family and friends of retired South African National Defence Force Surgeon-General, Lieutenant-General Vejay Ramlakan, who passed away on Thursday, 27 August 2020, at the age of 62. |
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The former Surgeon-General contributed to the liberation of all South Africans as one of the founding members of the United Democratic Front and as a member of the African National Congress’ armed wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe.
He also attended to the health of former President Nelson Mandela for a decade.
“My thoughts are with Lieutenant-General Ramlakan’s family, friends, comrades and former colleagues.
“We will remember him not only for his noble contribution in the struggle for liberation, but for the many years of great work as the physician to the father of our nation, former President Mandela. May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| MINISTER PANDOR LEADS SA DELEGATION AT THE G20 FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING |
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| The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, led the South African delegation at the extraordinary G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held virtually on Thursday, 3 September 2020. Minister Pandor was joined in the meeting by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and senior government officials. |
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The meeting, which took place under the theme, “Strengthening International Cooperation Across Borders”, was called by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, current President of the G20.
As was the case following the global financial crisis in 2008, and in line with the G20’s historical role of finding solutions to the globe’s most pressing challenges, the world will be looking to the G20 countries to lead and coordinate international efforts to counter the human and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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At their Extraordinary Summit on COVID-19, held in March 2020, G20 leaders tasked “relevant officials to coordinate closely in support of the global efforts to counter the pandemic’s impacts, including through proportionate border-management measures in accordance with national regulations and to provide assistance where necessary to repatriate citizens.”
While border management is an essential element of national sovereignty, enhanced international coordination in the implementation, monitoring and phasing-out of cross-border measures in the future will amplify their impact and minimise disruptions on people and trade.
In this regard, the Saudi Presidency called a meeting of G20 foreign ministers to assess lessons learned and to draw collective experiences for dealing with future pandemics. |
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| The G20 foreign ministers, among other things, exchanged national experiences and discussed the lessons learned from the cross-border management measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; enhanced G20 coordination and possible areas of future cooperation, including the repatriation of nationals and treatment of third-country nationals; and considered possible ways to reinforce the overall preparedness framework for cross-border measures. |
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| SIXTH ANNUAL GERTRUDE SHOPE FORUM CONCLUDES |
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| The Sixth Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum concluded on Friday, 28 August 2020. Held under the theme: "The Role of Women in Silencing the Guns: Building Architectures for Peace During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond”, the forum invited an impressive panel of speakers over the two days, who had valuable discussions on the following: |
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- Leadership Accountability for the Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
- The Role of Women in Silencing the Guns
- Building and Strengthening New Architectures for Peace.
For the text to Minister Naledi Pandor’s remarks, visit www.dirco.gov.za
Furthermore, the Mediation and Support Unit within the Branch: Diplomatic Training, Research and Development has set up a website that will be a repository for material on WPS from various sources. In line with the objective of the Dialogue Forum, which was established to ensure that South Africa contributes to the implementation of the WPS Agenda, the website offers a platform where stakeholders and interested parties are able to engage information on the subject at all times.
To access the website, click here: https://bit.ly/32tB2iO |
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| MINISTER KUBAYI-NGUBANE PROMOTES LOCAL TOURISM AS SECTOR REOPENS |
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| South Africans are encouraged to travel locally as the tourism sector attempts to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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“We had envisaged that domestic tourism will be the first pillar upon which the tourism recovery will kick-start,” the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, said.
Addressing the Tourism Month media launch in Cullinan on Monday, 31 August 2020, the Minister said government would during Tourism Month drive its domestic tourism campaign aimed at getting South Africans to travel and explore the splendour of the country responsibly, under the guidance of the health and safety protocols.
“South Africa has a diverse tourist attractions offering and I have no doubt that the varied needs of travellers will not only be met, but they will be exceeded,” the Minister said.
The domestic tourism campaign will stimulate demand, which will have to be met with sufficient supply.
“We are mindful that the pandemic has devastated a significant portion of the supply market. However, we are confident that we still have enough tourism products to meet the demand,” Minister Kubayi-Ngubane said.
The Minister said the supply market that was normally geared for international tourism would have to be innovative and quickly adapt to the needs of the local market.
“Incentives such as affordable rates, discounts, upgrades and enticing packages will play a critical role in getting South Africans to travel their own country. I invite all players in the private sector to collaborate with us in creating a conducive environment to entice South Africans to travel in their country,” the Minister said.
Tourism Month is taking place under the theme: “Tourism and Rural Development”.
“This year’s theme was conceptualised, as a recognition of the important role that tourism plays in the development of rural communities by way of poverty alleviation, employment creation and overall stimulation of economic activities.”
The media launch marked the kick-off of a series of tourism events that will happen during the month of September, culminating in the celebration of World Tourism Day on 27 September in Gauteng.
International travel
The Department of Tourism will be working towards the reopening of international travel.
“With the risk of the virus spread on a downward trend, we are hopeful that the opening of our borders will happen sooner than we are expecting. Again, I need to emphasise that the level of risk, as assessed by the experts, will be determinant of when this will happen,” the Minister said.
In terms of demand stimulation, government’s short-term focus, for now, will be on domestic tourism.
“We believe that domestic tourism, South Africans travelling and getting to know their own country, can drive market demand to unprecedented levels,” the Minister said.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW R4.5-BN SPACE HUB WILL BUILD UP TO SIX NEW SATELLITES |
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| The South African National Space Agency (Sansa) has been awarded R4.4 billion in investor funding to develop a space infrastructure hub. |
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Through the hub, Sansa plans to contract industry to build up to six satellites to supply the country with space data.
Sansa will allocate more than R3 billion to the design and development of up to six new satellites in the next four years, says its CEO Val Munsami.
This is thanks to R4.4 billion in investor funding sourced through President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium.
Government already using foreign-bought satellite data
Satellite-data usage is already widespread in government departments and state-owned companies, from StatsSA using it to map human settlements through to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries using it for land and resource management. However, this data is acquired from global satellites, not local ones which observe parameters that specifically interest South African government departments and companies.
“Core to the space infrastructure hub is the recognition that government departments are already using space-data services,” Munsami says.
To date, South Africa is the only sub-Saharan African country to have designed and built its own satellites. “We have the ability to conceptualise, design, develop and build satellites to get into orbit – all other countries procure from abroad,” he says.
Six satellites in the next four years
“We’re looking to build half a dozen satellites in the next three to four years,” says Munsami, “as well as the ground infrastructure to support these missions.”
Sansa will not be responsible for the entire satellite-manufacturing chain, though. “Once we do the initial scoping, then industry comes in,” he says. About R3.1 billion of the R4.5 billion is earmarked for satellite development and manufacturing, with the rest planned for supporting infrastructure.
“The majority of that R4.5 billion will be spent on industry. We’re creating that ecosystem, bringing in industry to be contracted to develop that value chain,” Munsami says.
– Source: www.businessinsider.co.za |
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| AFRICA DECLARED FREE OF WILD POLIO |
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| The African Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) on Tuesday, 26 August 2020, declared the continent free of wild poliovirus. |
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The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said this milestone was a big stride towards achieving the goal of global polio eradication.
According to the NICD, polio is the second human disease after smallpox, to be globally wiped out through vaccination.
The contagious disease is a viral illness that can cause sudden weakness and permanent paralysis or death in previously healthy individuals, often children.
The institute said polio, which is preventable through immunisation with a vaccine, used to cause large outbreaks throughout the world and in Africa.
“In 1988, when the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched, polio was found in more than 125 countries of the world and paralysed more than 350 000 people that year,” said the NICD.
For the last three decades, every African country has devoted enormous effort into keeping immunisation coverage high, conducting surveillance to look for polio in every child paralysed for any reason and submitting data to the ARCC.
“The decades of work have come to fruition in this landmark achievement. It is a celebration of a global concerted effort towards a common goal, in which we acknowledge participation by every mother and guardian who has taken their child for routine immunisation.”
ARCC Chairperson, Professor Rose Gana Fomban Leke, said 25 August 2020 was a historic day for Africa.
“The ARCC for Polio Eradication is pleased to announce that the region has successfully met the certification criteria for wild polio eradication, with no cases of the wild poliovirus reported in the region for four years,” said Prof. Leke.
The ARCC also heaped praise on former President Nelson Mandela who supported Rotary International that jumpstarted Africa’s commitment to polio eradication with the launch of the Kick Polio Out Of Africa Campaign in 1996.
At that time, polio was paralysing about 75 000 children, annually.
The commission said Mandela’s call mobilised African nations and leaders across the continent to step up their efforts to reach every child with the polio vaccine.
Since 1996, polio eradication efforts have prevented up to 1.8 million children from crippling life-long paralysis and saved approximately 180 000 lives, the ARRC said.
The last case of wild poliovirus in the region was detected in 2016 in Nigeria, the ARCC said.
“This is a momentous milestone for Africa. Now, future generations of African children can live free of wild polio,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa.
“This historic achievement was only possible thanks to the leadership and commitment of governments, communities, global polio eradication partners and philanthropists. I pay special tribute to the frontline health workers and vaccinators, some of whom lost their lives, for this noble cause.”
Vigilance
However, Moeti said the continent must remain vigilant and keep up vaccination rates to avert a resurgence of the wild poliovirus and address the continued threat of vaccine-derived polio (cVDPV2).
“While the eradication of wild poliovirus from the WHO African region is a major achievement, 16 countries in the region are currently experiencing cVDPV2 outbreaks, which can occur in under-immunised communities,” Moeti added.
The NICD said polio must not be allowed to return.
“We must not let down our guard and allow polio to return. Immunisation against polio remains the foundation of protecting our communities against outbreaks. The declaration of Africa as free of wild poliovirus shows that we have the prospect of global polio eradication within our grasp,” said the NICD.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICA HOSTS VIRTUAL WINE TRADE MISSION |
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| In a bid to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in collaboration with Wesgro, hosted a virtual wine mission to South Korea. |
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Wesgro is the Western Cape’s destination marketing, investment and trade promotion agency.
The virtual wine mission, which was held on Thursday, 27 August 2020, on Zoom, showcased 10 wineries from the Western Cape region.
The Deputy Minister of the dtic, Nomalungelo Gina, said the COVID-19 pandemic had not only impacted the healthcare sector negatively, but the economy in its entirety.
“A sector that has been particularly impacted by COVID-19 has been the wine industry, owing to the ban placed on alcohol sales by government and the accompanying travel protocols. Wesgro identified this to be a critical sector requiring support and had embarked on the concept of a virtual mission that would enable the promotion of small to large size wineries to new markets,” said the Deputy Minister.
She said exports from South Africa had been hindered, owing to travel restrictions, necessitating trade practitioners to develop new platforms for business engagements.
The wineries presented their respective wines to an audience of 20 South Korean wine importers and distributors, who had an opportunity to taste the wines from these wineries, which were shipped to South Korea ahead of the mission.
Wines of South Africa, a marketing organisation for South African wine exports, the South African Embassy and Wesgro were confident that the wineries selected represented a good mix of established and up-and-coming brands, which have the capability to service the South Korean market.
“South Korea is an important partner for South Africa in the Asian region. Our objective is to strengthen and deepen economic linkages through strong business and governmental cooperation between the two countries,” said Deputy Minister Gina.
Total trade between the two countries has been growing steadily, and amounted to R34 billion in 2019, with the trade balance in South Africa’s favour.
“South Africa’s exports have also demonstrated an upward trajectory over the years, from R13.8 billion in 2015 to R21.6 billion in 2019. However, we need to focus our efforts on diversifying the trade basket towards ensuring more value-added goods are exported going forward,” said Deputy Minister Gina.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za |
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| UP CHANCELLOR JOINS OTHER SOUTH AFRICANS ON LIST OF 100 MOST REPUTABLE AFRICANS |
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| Chancellor of the University of Pretoria (UP), Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, has been included in a list of the 100 Most Reputable Africans that was recently released by Reputation Poll International, a global public relations consultancy firm. |
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Individuals made the list based on three criteria: integrity, visibility and impact. Prof. Nkuhlu is joined by former Deputy President and Executive Director of UN Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize; Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT), Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe; and UP graduate and Olympic gold medallist, Caster Semenya.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to have been included in a list that comprises the continent’s pre-eminent leaders in business, politics, sport and the like,” Prof. Nkuhlu said.
“One cannot help but be reminded of how far Africa has come over the past few decades. What is also encouraging is that there are almost 50 women on the list, which highlights how impactful the role of women has been in the continent’s development and growth. A united effort is of utmost importance if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
”Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tawana Kupe, congratulated Prof. Nkuhlu and highlighted the important role that academics played not only in the generation of knowledge but also in the formulation and implementation of policy, which impacts the lives of millions of people.
Like former President Nelson Mandela, Prof. Nkuhlu is an alumnus of the University of Fort Hare, where he completed a B Com degree. He furthered his studies at UCT and New York University, where he was awarded a Certificate in the Theory of Accounting and an MBA respectively. Prof. Nkuhlu is widely regarded as a pioneer in the accounting profession in South Africa, having been the first black African to qualify as a chartered accountant, in 1976.
Prof. Nkuhlu is also passionate about development policy and implementation, and this is exemplified through his achievements as Chief Executive of the Secretariat for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. In recognition for his contribution towards the African Renaissance, he was awarded the Order of the Baobab (Silver) in 2008.
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| BUFFELSDRIFT FARM WINS INTERNATIONAL RESTORATION AWARD |
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| Buffelsdrift Farm in the Klein Karoo beat 73 entries to pick up the gold medal at the seventh edition of the International Domus Restoration and Conservation Award in Italy. |
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Buffelsdrift Farm, located west of Ladismith in the arid Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape, won gold for restoring a cluster of heritage buildings using traditional techniques.
The award recognises “excellence in the field of restoration, redevelopment and architectural and landscape recovery at an international level”.
The 2020 edition attracted 73 contributions, including several from European countries. There were also entries from China, Brazil, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United States of America.
The restoration effort involved a cluster of Cape buildings in a valley beneath the Swartberg mountain range, consisting of a main house, two barns and a store. Other structures on the property include a contemporary shed, a cottage and a graveyard.
The restoration work was overseen by SAOTA Architecture and Design and Jaco Booyens Architect.
Buffelsdrift Farm’s buildings are characteristic of South African culture, born by the mixture of different cultures and building techniques consisting of multiple buildings dating back to the mid-19th century inserted within a large agricultural property.
The original buildings, made of raw earth, had undergone numerous alterations both in coatings and in covers adding to the inconsistent additions. The restoration overcame these inconsistencies, making use of traditional construction techniques.
The walls, where incomplete, were reinforced with earth raw and re-plastered according to local methods. A roof made from sheet metal was reconfigured according to the original straw technique, made with local plant materials.
The result, the judges said, is a “convincing redefinition of the volumes within a natural landscape that is an integral part of the design”.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.co.za |
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| SOUTH AFRICAN ARTIST WHO WENT VIRAL PAINTING WITH COFFEE, GETS FIRST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION |
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| Ennock Mlangeni’s career as an artist is about to reach a whole new level thanks to his first-ever solo and international exhibition. |
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Ennock Mlangeni is a South African artist from Sasolburg. He went viral in 2018 for painting a portrait of South African DJ Black Coffee using a tin of Riccoffy. Since then, he has worked his way to the international stage.
His usual medium is blue ballpoint pen and paper but he decided to make a change and used a tin of Riccoffy, a small paintbrush and some water. That was only the beginning of a very promising career as an artist.
Some of his notable ballpoint pen pieces have been that of iconic heads of state and freedom fighters in South Africa. He has penned Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to name a few. He also uses musicians as his inspiration for these drawings.
He dabbles in mixed media art, using newspaper and coffee to make striking portraits of people in his life. From what we can see, this talented artist is pretty good at every single medium he tries his hand at.
His most famous artwork to date has been a picture he painted of South African DJ Black Coffee. It went viral within mere hours of being posted!
Ennock recently shared the news of his first-ever international (and solo) exhibition in Belgium.
“It still feels like a dream … Seeing these works being installed and being prepared takes me back a memory lane. I never thought that my first ever career Solo Exhibition as a visual artist would be an international one. From creating my works in a shack to Belgium. My solo exhibition in Belgium opens tomorrow and will run for the next 2 months. I lost both my parents when I was 7, life was never easy and we still pushing. The exhibition title is “THE BUTTERFLY FIND ITS WINGS” Art inspired by HOPE and the experiences that made me. My name is Ennock Mlangeni. YOU DON’T KNOW ME YET!!”
– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com |
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| VIRAL TRACK “JERUSALEMA” HITS 100 MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE |
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| After taking the number one spot in various countries, Master KG's “Jerusalema” recently went on to clock 100 million views on YouTube. |
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Jerusalema, the song by South African DJ and record producer Master KG, featuring South African vocalist Nomcebo Zikod, just clocked 100 million views on YouTube. It is said that Master KG is the first South African artist to do so.
After various videos were uploaded to the Internet of people dancing to the song in June this year, the song quickly went viral despite being released last year.
It’s said that the Limpopo-born musician and record producer, featuring local vocalist Zikode, has managed to transcend national borders and has officially become an international hit. All around the world, people, including healthcare workers, metro police officers and priests, have been sharing videos of themselves dancing to the song under the hashtag #JerusalemaChallenge.
According to Master KG, the dance challenge started in Angola when a group of friends recorded a video of the dance choreography that has since gone viral.
– Source: www.thesouthafrican.com |
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| TWO MORE SHOWMAX INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTIONS, ONE WITH MEGAN FOX |
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| After announcing four other original productions in July, Showmax said it would be involved in another two new international co-productions: an epic African mythology series “Blood Psalms”, with Canal+ International, and the Megan Fox action movie “Rogue”. |
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“This continues a move towards co-productions from Showmax’s parent company, MultiChoice, which partnered with HBO on last year’s Trackers, an adaptation of the bestselling Deon Meyer novel, which outperformed Game of Thrones in South Africa,” Showmax said in a statement.
“This is a conscious move on our part to ramp up investment in African content,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of General Entertainment for MultiChoice. “This is just the start of bringing the Africa we know and love to the rest of the world.”
In Rogue, Teen Choice winner and People’s Choice nominee Megan Fox (Transformers) stars as Samantha O’Hara, who leads a team of mercenaries on a mission to rescue a group of kidnapped schoolgirls. When their plan goes south, the mercenaries find themselves out of ammo and lost in the bush, having to defend themselves against both the kidnappers and an angry lion.
MJ Basset directs the action-adventure film, which also stars BAFTA Rising Star winner Adam Deacon and South African stars Jessica Sutton, Brandon Auret, Sisanda Henna, Kenneth Fok and Greg Kriek.
Rogue will premiere on BoxOffice by DStv on 11 September 2020, the first of a number of films opting to skip cinemas, given the pandemic, and launch first and exclusively on the video-on-demand platform instead.
The South Africa-United Kingdom film is a co-production between MultiChoice, Capstone and Mannequin, with Lionsgate Home Entertainment handling distribution in North America.
A co-production with Canal+ International, Blood Psalms is an epic series based on ancient African mythology. Currently shooting in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, it chronicles the rise to power of a fierce teenaged princess, Zazi (Bokang Phelane), who battles a world-ending prophecy to navigate her people through ancient curses, long-standing tribal vendettas, and the wrath of the Gods.
Show creators Layla Swart and Jahmil XT Qubeka from Yellowbone Entertainment were responsible for South Africa’s 2020 Oscar entry, the boxing drama Knuckle City.
The other original series announced earlier: Life With Kelly Khumalo, the long-awaited second season of Tali’s Wedding Diary; the nightclub-set murder mystery Skemerdans; and the small-town horror Dam. For more information and to join for streaming, go to www.showmax.com. |
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| STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR JERRY MATJILA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE UN SUPPORT MISSION IN LIBYA (UNSMIL), 2 SEPTEMBER 2020 |
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“Mr President,
“I thank the Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms Stephanie Williams, for her statement as well as the Chair of the 1970 Committee, Ambassador Günter Sautter for his briefing.
“Allow me to begin by expressing South Africa’s deep concern at the prevailing security situation in Libya. The continued military confrontations and escalations, particularly in and around Sirte in recent weeks, are of grave concern to us.
“We call on the parties to cease all hostilities with immediate effect and heed the calls for a permanent and lasting ceasefire, as called for by the parties. South Africa firmly believes this will create an environment for inclusive dialogue to pave the way towards a Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political process.
“In this regard, we welcome both the ceasefire announced on Friday, 21 August 2020, by the Government of National Accord that indicated that all "combat operations in all Libyan territories" had been halted, as well as the announcement to hold elections as early as March 2021. South Africa continues to support the peace process as supported by the African Union (AU) through its Peace and Security Council, the High-Level Committee on Libya and its Contact Group as well as the work of the AU Special Envoy for Libya, as they continue to engage with the main stakeholders in Libya.
“Mr President,
"The continued insecurity in Libya has further exacerbated the humanitarian and economic conditions on the ground, which have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The reports of alleged abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights are worrisome. In this regard, we welcome the appointment of the members of the international Fact-Finding Mission to Libya, which will be crucial in ensuring that the perpetrators are held accountable.
“Moreover, Libya’s ailing economy, exacerbated by the continued blockage of oil exports is a worrying trend which does not serve the interests of all Libyans. We welcome calls for the resumption of oil production, and for exports to resume fully, which will bring in much-needed revenue and improve the economic and financial situation for the benefit of all Libyans. We encourage continued talks to find a sustainable solution to the economic challenges.
“Mr President,
“In seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict, we wish to reiterate South Africa’s and the African Union’s support for the conclusions of the Berlin Conference as endorsed by Resolution 2510 (2020). These processes are vital for the achievement of peace in Libya. In this regard, South Africa encourages the continued support and commitment of the Security Council to strengthening the cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations. This is of paramount importance to ensure common purpose to put an end to the conflict in Libya.
“Mr President,
“Despite repeated calls for strict adherence to the arms embargo, violations persist by both parties as well as external players, with an influx of weapons and foreign fighters into Libya. In this regard, we welcome the calls for the implementation of sanctions against those who violate the arms embargo.
“We appeal to all countries concerned and those responsible for recruiting foreign fighters to immediately withdraw them from Libya and cease these activities. We recommend demobilisation and demilitarisation of those involved in the confrontations, integration of Libyan citizens into local societies and for foreign fighters to be repatriated to their countries of origin.
“Furthermore, the continued involvement of external actors remains a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya. We therefore reiterate our call for an end to foreign interference in order to allow efforts to unify state authority.
“Mr President,
“In conclusion, we underscore the importance of appointing a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General who will oversee and support the political process in Libya. We extend our full support to UNSMIL and the important work it continues to carry out through its mandate. In this context, we support the renewal of its mandate for another 12 months.
“I thank you.” |
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| STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS (UN), DURING THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SYRIA, 27 AUGUST 2020 |
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“Thank you, Mr President,
“I would like to thank Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Ramesh Rajasingham, for his frank and insightful briefing on the humanitarian situation in Syria.
“I also extend South Africa’s sincere gratitude and appreciation to the UN’s humanitarian agencies, partners and personnel for their tireless effort in ensuring that the people of Syria are provided with the essential assistance they so desperately require.
“In this regard, we call on the international community to assist in this effort by contributing to the humanitarian programmes aimed at helping the Syrian people. I would also like to pay tribute to those humanitarian workers who have given their lives to assist the Syrian people. |
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“Since the beginning of this year, 20 aid workers have been killed, making Syria the most insecure country for aid workers for the third year in a row, with national aid workers being the most affected. More must be done to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers.
“Mr President,
"As we have heard this morning, the humanitarian situation in Syria continues to be of concern, with Syrian civilians, particularly children, many of whom have known nothing but conflict, continuing to endure the worst aspects of this dire situation.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has further significantly impacted the economic and humanitarian situations. The effect of over nine years of conflict on critical infrastructure, including the health, education, water and sanitation sectors, have eroded Syria’s capacity to fully respond to this pandemic. The risk to refugees and internally displaced populations is of particular concern, given their cramped quarters and limited access to necessary water and sanitation services.
“In this regard, the continued disruption of service at the Alouk water station is deeply troubling, as this water station is the primary source of clean water to over 460 000 people in the Al-Hasakeh Governorate, including the Al Hol camp. South Africa, therefore calls on the parties to ensure that water services are fully restored and a long-term, sustainable solution is found to ensure that shortages and disruptions no longer occur.
”Additionally, South Africa calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as schools, health facilities and water reticulation facilities.
“Mr President,
“It has now been over a month since the cross-border humanitarian assistance programme has been reduced to just one border crossing at Bab al-Hawa. We appreciated the efforts made by the UN and its partners to make every effort to ensure that people in need feel minimal impact as a result of this reduction.
“However, we must also remain cognisant of the increased challenges this has brought about, making humanitarian operations in the Northwest more costly, risker and less timely. South Africa calls on all actors, in particular the Syrian Government, to increase its cooperation with humanitarian agencies and work towards the improvement and enhancement of all modalities, including cross-line assistance programmes.
“We note with appreciation the efforts for increased crossline deliveries in the Northeast and Northwest of Syria, and call on all parties to continue these efforts.
“South Africa reiterates its call for the safe, unimpeded and impartial delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to all who require it, in line with the provisions of international humanitarian law.
“Mr President,”
"In light of the continuing humanitarian situation and the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in all parts of Syria, the imposition of unilateral sanctions only further worsens the economic and humanitarian situation in the country. In this regard, we request the Secretary-General to include in his bi-monthly reports to the Council, an overview of the effects and impact of unilateral sanctions on the humanitarian situation in Syria.
“In conclusion Mr President, the situation in Syria can only be resolved through negotiations and mediation. South Africa calls on all parties to exert every effort towards the full implementation of Resolution 2254 (2015).
“In this regard, we are pleased to hear that the discussions of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, suspended due to positive COVID-19 cases among a few of the participants, will resume today.
“I thank you.” |
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